Latest news with #RockIslandCampground
Fox News
07-07-2025
- Fox News
Manhunt for alleged killer dad reignited after campers report possible sighting over holiday weekend
The manhunt for the Washington father accused of killing his three daughters before disappearing into the remote wilderness has intensified after campers in nearby Idaho reported a potential sighting over the holiday weekend. According to the U.S. Marshals Service Greater Idaho Task Force, a family reported seeing a man resembling 33-year-old Travis Decker while camping in the Bear Creek area of Sawtooth National Forest on July 5, Fox 13 reported. The family described the man as wearing a black mesh cap, a cream-colored shirt, black shorts, black gauged earrings and standing at 5'8" to 5'10" tall, according to the outlet. The individual was reportedly carrying a black Jansport backpack and had a long ponytail and overgrown facial hair. He was wearing a black watch and either Vans or Converse low-top shoes. The sighting comes as authorities enter the sixth week of a sprawling manhunt for Decker after the bodies of his three daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, were found at Rock Island Campground on June 2. The girls' mother had reported them missing three days earlier after they did not return home following a court-mandated custody visit with their father. The three girls' bodies were found with plastic bags over their heads and their hands bound within feet of Decker's abandoned pickup truck, according to police. Authorities from numerous local, state and federal agencies – including the U.S. Marshals Service and Border Patrol's Tactical Unit – immediately began searching for Decker, a trained military survivalist and former member of the U.S. Army, by land and air. The U.S. Marshals Service did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. One month into the search, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) confirmed that authorities had deployed cadaver dogs in the search for Decker. "Multiple canines with different disciplines are being utilized, and have been being utilized, throughout the search," a CCSO spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "This includes human remains detection dogs." Authorities previously believed Decker may have perished in the wilderness, with the Kittias County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) revealing "there is no certain evidence that Decker remains alive or in this area," before insisting officers are continuing to search for the wanted father. Last week, CCSO confirmed that traces of blood found on the tailgate of Decker's truck belong to the missing father, ultimately ruling out the possibility of additional suspects in the killings. "With this evidence, along with the other evidentiary items found at the scene, we do not have any reason to believe there are any other suspects," the department said in a statement. At the time of the alleged killings, Decker was homeless and living between motels and local campgrounds while suffering from mental health issues, according to court documents. The girls' mother, Whitney Decker, spoke publicly about the loss of her children last month. "I truly hope that the legacy of the girls' lives on in everyone's heart forever," she said at a June 20 memorial service, according to Fox 13 Seattle. "They were incredible." Authorities warn that Decker should be considered armed and dangerous but insist they have no reason to believe he is a threat to public safety. He is charged with three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and kidnapping. The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $20,000 reward for any information leading to Decker's arrest.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Yahoo
Bloody handprints found on truck links Travis Decker to murder of 3 daughters
As the manhunt for Travis Decker -- the father accused of killing his three daughters near a Washington state campground -- reaches the one-month mark, DNA found at the scene of the crime now links the murders to the fugitive father, according to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office. Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, were killed after they left home for a "planned visitation" with Decker on May 30, and were found dead near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Washington, on June 2, according to police. Decker's vehicle was discovered unoccupied near the girls' bodies, and officials revealed on Tuesday that bloody handprints found on the tailgate of his truck matches the DNA profile "that we believe is Decker's," the sheriff's office said in a press release. With this evidence, officials said they "do not have any reason to believe there are any other suspects." Authorities said they are continuing this multi-agency search for Decker, saying the National Park Service is also planning to send out "swift water search and rescue teams in the near future to conduct more searches of the bodies of water around the crime scene." MORE: Father who killed 3 daughters was 'active dad' but the 'system failed' him, ex-wife's attorney says Drones, cadaver and tracking dogs are also continuing to be used in the search efforts, officials said. The U.S. Marshals Service is also still offering a $20,000 reward for information leading directly to Decker's arrest, the sheriff's office said. "Until he is taken into custody, or recovered, we will continue these efforts. We are extremely grateful for the continued leadership, dedication and support from all of our search teams," the sheriff's office said. At this time, officials said they "do not have an evidence to suggest Mr. Decker is alive, or deceased." Todd McGhee, a law enforcement and security analyst and former Massachusetts state trooper, told ABC News last week he believes Decker is alive. Decker, who is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes, was last seen wearing a light shirt and dark shorts, police said, and a new suspect flyer was released by authorities on June 16. He is currently wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of kidnapping, police said. Officials said anyone who has any information on Decker or knows of his whereabouts should call 911 immediately. For a timeline of what we know about the murder of the three sisters, click here.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Daily Mail
New Travis Decker images released as police continue search for wanted killer dad-of-three
Chilling new images of accused killer dad Travis Decker have been released - as cops believe he may have changed his appearance. The 32-year-old fugitive, who allegedly strangled his three young daughters and left their bodies near Rock Island Campground in Washington, has been on the run for more than two weeks. Federal officials are ramping up their search for Decker, sharing three new images of what the wanted man could now look like. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office created three updated pictures of the suspect, each depicting a different way he could have altered his features. Authorities also shared a message to Washington residents, stating the veteran is 'considered dangerous and may be armed.' 'Do not approach, call 911 immediately!' the wanted poster reads. The manipulated images were made based on a photo of Decker posed in front of a landscape wearing a blue shirt and baseball cap, in which he has a beard, mustache and an earring. His hair is grown out to his neck. The first variation of his potential altered appearance shows Decker wearing no hat with a buzz cut and clean shaven facial hair. Another image shows Decker with a mustache and a buzzcut without a beard. In the third option, Decker has shoulder-length hair, no facial hair and is wearing a baseball cap. Police believe Decker, who was last seen wearing a tan or green t-shirt with dark shorts, murdered his daughters Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5. He has been missing since May 30, when he failed to return the three little girls back to their mother, Whitney, after a visit. Whitney, who is divorced from the veteran, told police that he had picked the girls up around 5pm but had not returned them by 8pm, and his phone went straight to voicemail, court documents said. Detectives said she 'expressed concern because Decker reportedly has never done this before and … is currently experiencing some mental health issues.' She also told law enforcement officials that Decker was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and believes he did not take medication for the condition, according to court documents. On June 2, a search party led to the chilling discovery of the sisters' dead bodies near the Chelan County campsite along with Decker's truck. Deputies found the girls' bodies about 75 to 100 yards from Decker's truck. An autopsy revealed the girls died from suffocation and police reported their wrists were zip-tied when they were found, court documents said Police collected 'a large amount of evidence' from the truck, including male blood and non-human blood. The alleged-killer's dog was found nearby as well and taken to an animal humane society, Fox 8 reported. The discovery of the children's corpses kicked off the massive search for Decker. State and federal authorities believe they may have spotted him hiking in a mountainous area. On June 10, a helicopter crew saw someone running off a trail near Colchuck Lake. Police speculate it was Decker. The lake is roughly 12 miles from the campground the girls were left near. Chilling audio from just months before the harrowing murders captured the fugitive father begging for more custody time to go camping with his daughters. In the recording from a September 2024 custody hearing, Decker makes an eerie promise that no harm would come to the girls if he's given more time to take them camping in Washington State's wilderness. With an extensive combat background, authorities and locals are concerned about Decker still being on the loose. He joined the Army in 2013. He served in Afghanistan before transferring to the Washington National Guard in 2021, Karina Shagren, communications director for the Washington Military Department, confirmed to the Daily Mail. He was a full-time member of the Guard until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time. Decker stopped attending mandatory monthly drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard was in the process of a disciplinary discharge. He likely has advanced combat training and was an airborne paratrooper who earned the elite rank of 'Ranger,' indicating he would have excellent wilderness and survival skills, Fox 13 Seattle reported, citing social media posts. Decker is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Terrifying audio reveals fugitive dad Travis Decker outlining plan for three daughters before alleged murders
Chilling new audio has revealed f ugitive father Travis Decke r pleading for more custody time to go camping with his daughters, just months before he was accused of brutally murdering them at a campsite. In the audio, which is from a September 2024 custody hearing, Decker makes an eerie promise that no harm would come to the girls if he's given more time to take them camping in Washington State 's wilderness. Decker, who remains wanted and on the run, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping after he disappeared with Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, during a court-ordered visitation on May 30. Their bodies were were found near Rock Island Campground on June 2, with Decker's abandoned truck also discovered near the scene. His visitation time with the girls had earlier been reduced after his ex-wife raised concerns over his declining mental health, alleged endangerment, and lack of stability. She was given near-full custody while Decker was only allowed to visit every other weekend for a set number of hours. Frustrated with the lack of time with his daughters, Decker pled with a family court judge to restore access to the girls - claiming he'd never put them in danger. 'Every time I've had the girls, we have been in campsites and national forests and paid campsites that have campers,' he said in the audio. 'We've never done anything that was unsafe, or anything I wouldn't want to put myself in.' 'I understand that my current position when I'm by myself isn't ideal, but my daughters aren't a part of that,' Decker continued. 'I only get to see them over the weekends, and camping is something that the four of us have done since the three of them were in diapers.' He emphasized again that he's never put his daughter's at risk - and brings them to camp sights that are 'sold out.' 'I've never done anything I feel like that puts them in any sort of a risk ... that most families in the state of Washington, every campsite we've been to in the last month have been almost completely booked out or sold out because everybody's out this time of year. 'When I stepped away from the National Guard I was making $86,000 a year and now I make I think it's like $38,000 a year. When you start over from zero and you don't have help in a hand to get you through it makes it a little more difficult.' The judge responded, stating, 'That's not stable ... Whether it's an RV, a tent, an Airbnb or motel - that's not stability for these children. That's always a concern for the court.' In the audio, Decker tells the judge that he should have the 'opportunity' to be there for his daugthers. 'I already only get a day and a half, two days, with my daughters, and it's two nights,' Decker says in the audio. 'It's a Friday night, Saturday night, and because of my current job and the current location, I'm in Idaho working.' 'Where the work is, is where I come, and through the new parenting plan, it takes away basically all my opportunities to be around the girls when I'm not at work.' 'I feel like I should be able to be there for them and not have to find my way to be around my daughters.' The young children's bodies were discovered dumped in a remote, wooded area about 30 miles from Rock Island Campground in Washington. Decker had a history of escalating violence, according to his brother who revealed Travis' 'violent' reaction when his family attempted to hold an intervention. Thomas, 35, told the Daily Mail exclusively that his brother's actions are unrecognizable from when they were children and begged him to 'stop this evil' and turn himself in after the bodies of his children were found.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 'Killer' dad who 'strangled his three gorgeous daughters to death' hides a chilling secret, brother reveals
Travis Decker – now missing in Washington state 's wilderness after allegedly murdering his three daughters – had a history of escalating violence, according to his brother who revealed when his family attempted to hold an intervention. Thomas, 35, told the Daily Mail exclusively that his brother's actions are unrecognizable from when they were children and begged him to 'stop this evil' and turn himself in after the bodies of his children Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, were found near Rock Island Campground.
